Complaint Review: Walden University - Internet

You are right, online learning is more challenging.  The student must be self-motivating and adhere to the assignments and reading in a fast paced self learning experience.  The problem at Walden is that their instructors are not following Walden's own rules.  They disregard the assignment's stated requirements telling students that, "In a Master's program more is required of you."  Which makes no sense when they did the assignment faithfully from the curriculum for their Masters program.  They also do not adhere to their own syllabus rules for their classes.  Which means wwhen a student follows the rules an turns in submissions the instructor could arbitrarily say the assignment is late by my clock, I live on the east coast,and the student is docked for the points, even though the syllabus claerly states that is not the case.  In online learning consistency and communication is essential and Walden fails utterly at that.

Hello,

I read your report and the rebuttals from the former students.  It seems that there is bias on both sides of the arguement that can be attributed to the experiences and perceptions from their interactions with Walden.  I have sat in on a few classes as a associate of mine was pursuing a PhD through Walden, and I was frankly curious in regards to the quality of the education.

Completing a PhD by showing up to class and not having the requirement to complete a residency was enticing (at first that is).  The first class seemed to be good to me.  Everyone was engaged and there was discussion going back and forth between the class and the professor.  The curriculum didn't seem to difficult, and at first, I thought that this was great as I could envision getting a PhD without having to kill myself with a 4 year program.  

a few months passed, and I decided to sit in on another class, and discovered that it was about the same.  The class was engaged, but reviewing the syllabus (via my friend) it seemed overly easy.  Unlike the earlier "rebuttal" I am not able to get my employer to pay for my education, so cost comes into play.  The cost for the program I was interested in wasn't too bad at $525 per semester hour, but still a bit more expensive than my local public university.

My main desire was to teach at the university level, and for even undergraduate programs, they require folks to have PhDs here locally.  I talked to a few folks in the Poli/Sci department of my local university to see about the options to teach if the degree was from Walden.  They told me that I wouldn't have a shot in hell of getting a teaching job as Walden was considered a diploma mill.  They told me that most of the proprietary schools out there (Phoenix, ITT, you name it) provide a education that is lower in standard, and that their "residency" requirements are generally short (2 four day "residencies" for Walden) and also do not require a teaching load, the PhD from Walden wouldn't be able to handle the requirements of professorship.  

My background is a 4 year BABS from the University of Maryland, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma with a concentration in Public Policy.  In regards to the quality of the education, I can't speak beyond my limited experience, but in regards to the ability to utilize the PhD from Walden I feel it just wasn't a good fit for me.  

FYI to all of those looking into this as an option, if you are concerned with the perception of the proprietary schools, you may want to look around some more.  Most public universities now offer online Bachelors and Masters degrees.  Hell, even an Ivy League school (Harvard) is offering online degree programs.  

Probably, the only information in your discussion which I agree with involves the scope and severity associated with online learning.  It can present a challenge.  However, enrollment at Walden University has become one of my greatest regrets in my lifetime.  With all fairness, it is my hope some programs align with their mission and epitomize excellence in the institute of higher learning.  Certainly, the MAT with the focus on the Emotionally Disturbed is characterized by the opposite.  Comparatively, this program amounts to convoluted demands which are disorganized  disconnected, and deceitful.  

During the enrollment period, or shortly after, the office responsible for placing students for their demonstration teaching requires students to make written notification regarding their choices.  Unfortunately, this is one of the many acts of deceits; for, when the time comes your placement could result anywhere in the state.  This institute of higher learning did not inform me the counties or school choices which were made in the beginning were no longer affiliated with Walden.  On the other hand, these counties may have never been affiliated with the school.  So, my placements are in places which are not culturally sensitive and infamous for shunning individuals of color. 

As mentioned, this is one of many deceitful acts in Walden's schemes. Yes, I could go on and on.   Additionally, the program teaches little regarding the nature of students suffering or having the label of ED. Instruction format or modalities are not culturally sensitive and focus is on teaching how to meet the emotional, mental, and social needs of students of  European descent.  Hopefully, it is known there are differences which are remarkable in most instances.  "One size does not fit all".   To no surprise, the education system is broken and will remain this way with this type of instruction.  Needless to say, I have spent or wasted thousands of dollars for a substandard education.  Oh by the way, let me tell you my GPA at this point is a 4.0.  Other accomplishments include two other degrees to include a BS in Biology and Chemistry graduating c*m Laude and a BS in Nursing graduating Magna c*m Laude. This choice of online education seemed convenient because of my career, as a charge nurse, and due to a diagnosis which could take an upredictable course.  Lastly, I would not recommend Walden University to anyone.  It is not worth the heartache and headache associated with the surprises!
 

There is nothing like someone who failed to take advantage of a grand educational opportunity smearing the university - when, in all likelihood, it is the failure of the student to put in the work that resulted in said failure. I just completed my M.P.A in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy from Walden University. In December of this year, I will begin the Doctorate Program. As with every online university, you only get back what you put into it. Unfortunately, there are countless people who cannot fathom any higher education program where the instructor fails holds your hand 100% of the time. People, online learning is FAR more challenging than a brick and mortar college/university. I got my undergraduate degree from Indiana University. At those places, the "discussion" portion of your class grade basically amounts to sitting in a class listening to a professor tell you his/her own opinions on the subject matter. Those "discussions" at Walden are ALL in writing - which means a student must provide more than "in my opinion" or "I think" answers that make the cut at campuses. You have to make valid points backed up with scholarly sources. At Walden University, you have to actually READ and COMPREHEND the course material - which is extensive. But the reward for completing such a difficult program is a level of education and writing skills that is unmatched by any other program available. As far as the OP's assertion that it is difficult to "find a job with a degree from this university, and then more often than not, employers will completely disregard your resume", I was offered a regulatory position with a major telecom as a tariff compliance specialist WEEKS before I even completed my final course. I now make $76,000/year, have paid health/life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation, paid holidays, seven paid personal days, 100% matching 401K, and my Ph.D. tuition and books at Walden paid for by my employer. What you "heard" was little more than ignorant babbling. In the future, you might want to bring more than your anecdotal so-called "evidence" to the table when you try to smear a terrific university like Walden. Try actually completing a course, then come talk to all of us about how "terrible" the place is.

There is nothing like someone who failed to take advantage of a grand educational opportunity smearing the university - when, in all likelihood, it is the failure of the student to put in the work that resulted in said failure. I just completed my M.P.A in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy from Walden University. In December of this year, I will begin the Doctorate Program. As with every online university, you only get back what you put into it. Unfortunately, there are countless people who cannot fathom any higher education program where the instructor fails holds your hand 100% of the time. People, online learning is FAR more challenging than a brick and mortar college/university. I got my undergraduate degree from Indiana University. At those places, the "discussion" portion of your class grade basically amounts to sitting in a class listening to a professor tell you his/her own opinions on the subject matter. Those "discussions" at Walden are ALL in writing - which means a student must provide more than "in my opinion" or "I think" answers that make the cut at campuses. You have to make valid points backed up with scholarly sources. At Walden University, you have to actually READ and COMPREHEND the course material - which is extensive. But the reward for completing such a difficult program is a level of education and writing skills that is unmatched by any other program available. As far as the OP's assertion that it is difficult to "find a job with a degree from this university, and then more often than not, employers will completely disregard your resume", I was offered a regulatory position with a major telecom as a tariff compliance specialist WEEKS before I even completed my final course. I now make $76,000/year, have paid health/life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation, paid holidays, seven paid personal days, 100% matching 401K, and my Ph.D. tuition and books at Walden paid for by my employer. What you "heard" was little more than ignorant babbling. In the future, you might want to bring more than your anecdotal so-called "evidence" to the table when you try to smear a terrific university like Walden. Try actually completing a course, then come talk to all of us about how "terrible" the place is.

There is nothing like someone who failed to take advantage of a grand educational opportunity smearing the university - when, in all likelihood, it is the failure of the student to put in the work that resulted in said failure. I just completed my M.P.A in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy from Walden University. In December of this year, I will begin the Doctorate Program. As with every online university, you only get back what you put into it. Unfortunately, there are countless people who cannot fathom any higher education program where the instructor fails holds your hand 100% of the time. People, online learning is FAR more challenging than a brick and mortar college/university. I got my undergraduate degree from Indiana University. At those places, the "discussion" portion of your class grade basically amounts to sitting in a class listening to a professor tell you his/her own opinions on the subject matter. Those "discussions" at Walden are ALL in writing - which means a student must provide more than "in my opinion" or "I think" answers that make the cut at campuses. You have to make valid points backed up with scholarly sources. At Walden University, you have to actually READ and COMPREHEND the course material - which is extensive. But the reward for completing such a difficult program is a level of education and writing skills that is unmatched by any other program available. As far as the OP's assertion that it is difficult to "find a job with a degree from this university, and then more often than not, employers will completely disregard your resume", I was offered a regulatory position with a major telecom as a tariff compliance specialist WEEKS before I even completed my final course. I now make $76,000/year, have paid health/life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation, paid holidays, seven paid personal days, 100% matching 401K, and my Ph.D. tuition and books at Walden paid for by my employer. What you "heard" was little more than ignorant babbling. In the future, you might want to bring more than your anecdotal so-called "evidence" to the table when you try to smear a terrific university like Walden. Try actually completing a course, then come talk to all of us about how "terrible" the place is.